Wednesday, June 20, 2018EU erecting barriers in the way of security co-operation

DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds has said that the EU appears to want to erect barriers to security co-operation. His was speaking at Prime Ministers Questions in Parliament following Michel Barnier’s comments in relation to the European Arrest Warrant and security co-operation.

Speaking from Westminster Mr Dodds said “The EU and Michel Barnier say they do not want to see a hard border on the island of Ireland; something we can all agree on. On the other hand however, in his remarks on security co-operation he seemed to be erecting barriers in the way of the best possible co-operation between the UK and the rest of Europe.

"It has already been asserted that this kind of brinkmanship by the EU is a boon to terrorists. It is an approach by the EU that is entirely wrong and one which appears determined to make Brexit harder for the UK but easier for those who want to cause damage across Europe.

"Such barriers are more damaging to the EU than they would be to the UK. The director of GCHQ has pointed to how information from the UK was crucial to thwarting terrorist operations in four European countries within the last year.

"The outcome should be to ensure that citizens across Europe are protected, not for the EU to use security as just another bargaining chip.”

ENDS

Note to EditorsMr Dodds Question and the response from the Prime Minister can be viewed here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykGgZ2AhU2s&t=1s